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To: redgolum

We aren't missing the point. We are objecting to the title because it adds confusion. You have to remember, half the world these days doesn't understand the concept of the Trinity, what salvation is, let alone the incarnation. If one says, for example, Mary was the mother of the Incarnate Christ - I can go with that. It puts her in the role of Mother of Christ, who is God - but takes out the Father and Holy Spirit in her role as mother.

What flew 1700 years ago in terms of understanding, doesn't necessarily fly today. People are as Biblically illiterate today as they were then (with the clergy and scholarly types being the ones most exposed to Scripture); and the term "Mother of God" causes more problems than it is worth. It can be said in a more clear manner and needs to be clarified is what i believe Xzins, myself and others are saying. We are not denying Jesus' deity. We are not denying that Mary was Jesus' mother. We are trying to clarify her title so that it doesn't seemingly negate Christ's eternal preexistance.


1,793 posted on 12/18/2006 6:47:43 AM PST by Blogger
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To: Blogger
Which are good points. The title "Mother of God" can lead to problems, but to call Mary the "Mother of Christ" or the "Mother of Jesus" only leads to more problems. Heck, I see it often in Bible classes where people don't want to sound "to Catholic" and end up Unitarian or Arian. It isn't a cure all title, but it was chosen for a reason, and a pretty good one. The risks of calling Mary "The Mother of God", are as you said, it can leave some with the impression that Mary "made" God, and therefore is some sort of god herself. She isn't, and that isn't what the title is about, but if one doesn't understand the background and the Incarnation that well, it can be the impression one gets.

The best answer would be good confirmation classes (not sure what others call them) early on that explicitly says who and what Jesus Christ is. Unfortunately, across the board, that is pretty rare. As you said, few really take the time to learn what they proclaim to believe, and has been the case since about 35 AD or so.
1,802 posted on 12/18/2006 6:55:14 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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